Device for feeding nails in position for manual driving



March l0 1953 L E ROY H. ALFOR 2 DEVICE FOR FEEDING NAILS 1N EOSITION 630567 FOR MANUAL Flled July 20, 1948 DRIVING 4 Sheets-Sheet l l 1 f l l Mal'dl 10, 1953 LE ROY H. ALF-CRD 2,630,567

DEVICE FOR FEEDING NAILS IN POSITION FOR MANUAL DRIVING Filed July 20, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 l Le ROY HENRY ALF-ORD March 10, 1953 LE ROY H. ALI-'ORD 2,630,567

DEVICE FOR FEEDING NAILS IN POSITION FOR MANUAL DRIVING Filed July 20, 1948 4 Sheets- Sheet 3 /4 TTD/F/vv/ March 10, 1953 LE ROY H. ALFoRD 2,630,567

DEVICE FOR FEEDING NAILS IN POSITION FOR MANUAL DRIVING Filed July 20. 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 /NL/E TDF Le ROY HENRY ALF-ORD E Vm.

/d TTUF/v Patented Mar. 10, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DEVICE FOR FEEDING NAILS IN POSITION FOR MANUAL DRIVING 3 Claims.

This invention relates generally to nail driving equipment and particularly to a gun for holding; nails in position for manual driving.

The main object of this invention is to facilitate the driving of nails in box making or other lines of activity where many nails must be driven in succession.

I accomplish this and other objects in the manner set forth in the following specification as illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the device in an operating position. The trigger has been moved to dotted position permitting ythe nail to slide by gravity to the position shown, after which the trigger is returned to full-line position. At this time the device is ready to be placed upon the work to be nailed.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device showing same in position upon the boards to be nailed. This view shows the side opposite that shown in Fig. 1 and also shows the position taken by the nail when the device is pushed downwardly to contact `the work. The nail can now be struck with a hammer and driven part way into the work and the device is then released from the nail, after which the nail is driven down with the hammer. (See Figs. 3 and 4.)

Fig. 3 is a section taken along 3--3 in Fig. 2 showing the resilient stop or gate, also nail against same.

Fig. 4 is a section similar to Fig. 3 except that the device has been pulled toward the operator. The device has also been moved sidewise and a continuation of this movement will remove the device from the partly driven nail.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the upper nailreleasing arm.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the lower nailreleasing arm.

Fig. '7 is a perspective as viewed from below. illustrating the relative location of points on the releasing arms.

Fig. 8 is a perspective of the trigger or slide which actuates the nail releasing arms.

Fig. 9 is a diagram of nail feeding sequence. In this figure the parts are in the full line position of trigger as shown in Fig. 1. 4

Fig. 10 is a diagram of the nail feed sequence with the trigger pulled part way to dotted position in Fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is a diagram of the nail feed sequence, with the trigger pulled to the dotted position in Fig. 1, thus releasing one nail to slide to the end o1 the runway and against the resilient gate.

Fig. 12 is a diagram of the nail feed sequence showing the relation of the parts when the 'trigger has been partly returned to the full-line position 0f Fig. l.

Fig. 13 is a section in plan view taken along the line l3|3 in Fig. 1. (See also Fig. 9.)

Fig. 14 is a section similar to Fig. 13 but showing the location of the parts when the vtrigger has moved to the dotted line position oi Fig. 1. (See also Fig. 1l.)

Fig. l5 is a perspective view of the main side plate of the device.

Fig. 16 is a secion taken along the line |6--l6 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 17 is a section taken along the line l'I-Vl in Fig. 1.

Fig. 18 is a section taken along the line lB-IS in Fig. 1.

Fig. 19 is a section taken along the `line Ill- I9 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 2O is a section taken along the line 2li- 2t in Fig. 1.

Fig. 21 is a section taken along the line 2 I 2| in Fig. 1.

Like numbers of reference refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring in detail to Fig. 2 of the drawings, there is shown a pair of spaced' side plates 2! and 22, the former having an outturned ange 23 and the latter having an outturned flange 24. The plates 2l and 22 are spaced far enough apart to permit the free passage of nails 25 whose heads 2t ride on the surfaces 2 ofthe flanges 23 and 24.

Over the slot 28, formed between the plates 2l and 22 and spaced from the surfaces 21, is an angle bar 29 (Fig. 2), whose leg 30 (Fig. 16) is secured by the bolts 3l to the angle bracket 32v which is held by the bolts 33 to the flange 23..

0n the outer under side of the plate 2i (Fig. 15),. is formed a bracket 34 which, together with the flange 23, supports a bolt 35 (Fig. 1), on which is hinged the upper nail releasing arm 36 (Fig. 5) having an inturned nail releasing finger 3l formed thereon, which is normally in the path of the nails 25 and prevents their advance along the nail gudeway.

The arm 36 has also formed thereon a downturned lug 38 (Figs. 1 and 6), which engages the spring 33 which is held by the screw 40 and is inwardly urged thereby. The finger 3'! projects through the opening 4I (Fig. 15), in the plate `2 I.

Also hinged on the bolt 35 is the lower nail separating arm 42 having the inturned nail separating finger 43 formed thereon and also the downturned lug 44 (Figs. 1 and 6). which nor- 3 mally engages |the spring 45 which is held by the screw 46 mounted in the plate 2|.

Below the lower nail separating arm 42 is disposed a slide 41 (Figs. 1, 8 and 13 and 14), on which is formed a trigger arm 48 whose finger engaging end 49 extends below the edge 50. The arm 48 is urged toward the muzzle end 5| of the gun by means of a spring 52 which is placed in tension between the members 43 and 2|.

In the side of the plate 2|, close to the muzzle end of the plate 2| is the slot 53 (Figs. 14 and 15), in which rides the inturned nail holding end 54 of the slide 4l.

The nail-holding tip 55 of the end 54 is concavely formed to receive the body of the nail 25 just under its head 26, as shown in Figs. 8 and 13.

The plate 2| from a point near the opening 4| to the edge 55 is provided with an inclined surface 51, against which the inturned end 54 can ride when the trigger 49 is pulled backwardly (compare Figs. 13 and 4.).

The slide 41 (Fig. 8) is provided with inclined surfaces 55 and 5S, surface 58 engaging the downwardly turned lug 44 on the lower nail separating arm when the trigger 49 is released, and the surface 55 engaging the downwardly turned lug on |the upper nail releasing arm 35 when the trigger 45 is pulled back.

Below the underside of the slide il (Figs. 1

and 15) is disposed an elongated guide 5G having o the stops 6| and $2 formed thereon. Depending from the slide 41 is a lug 3 (Figs. 1 and 8). adapted to engage the inclined surface 54 rformed on the end of the guide B.

On the back of the plate 22 is disposed a guide 65 (Figs. 2 and 13), in which is mounted the slide' 6G which isv urged by the spring 51 toward the end oi' the slot 28. The spring 51 is attached to the plate 2| by means of la screw 58. or in any other convenient manner.

The slide G has a turned end 69 (Figs. 2, 3 and a), which extends around the end and serves asa gate to limit the lateral movement of a nail 25 until it is driven sufficiently into the wood 1| to permit its release by pulling backwardiy` on the hand grip 12 attached to the plate 2l.

Secured at one end of the plates 2| and 22 (Figs. 2 and 13.) are the spring pressed arms 13 and 14 whose ends 15 and 15 normally close the nail slot 28.

Depending from the edge 5i) oi the plates 2i and 22 are the ears 11 which are held in spaced relation by washers 1S (Fig. 16) and clamped together by the bolts 15. The purpose of this adjustment is to permit the handling of nails of different thickness.

The operation of thegun is as follows: Assuming that there area number of nails 25 between the plates 2| and 22, it will be seen in Fig. 9 that with the trigger in rest position the first nail 25 is held against' the releasing nger 31 (Figs. 9 and 20)), Vthe `finger 31 being so urged by the spring 39. As the trigger '4G is moved toward the dottedposition shown in Fig. 1, finger 31 on the upper release arm 35 is retracted from the front of the foremost nail while the finger 43 on the lower release arm 42 is advanced tothe rear of the foremost nail, in a sequence of steps as seen in Figs. 9 and 11. The above action is caused by cams 59 and 58 acting on projections it and 44, which through leaf springs 35, 45 urge the upper and lower release. arms inwardly toward the slot As theslide 41isdrawn backward from a position shown in Fig. 13, cam surface 59 contacts projection 38 to withdraw finger 31 from the position shown in Figs. 9 to 11. Concurrently with the rearward movement of the slide 41 cam surface 58 on the lower release arm is withdrawn from the lug 44 to permit the spring 45 to urge finger 43 to a position to the rear of the rst nail and stop the second nail as shown in Fig. 11. With each retraction of the trigger 49, the slide 41 is retracted from the slot 53 (Fig. 14) to free the raceway 28 to permit Ithe released nail to move by gravity against the inturned end of the gate as shown in Figs. 2 and 14. When the trigger 49 is released the end 55 re-enters the raceway 28 and engages the nail which is resting against the gate 5g and holds it there in any position in which the gun may be placed (see Fig. 13).

rIhe nail is held with the head 26 projecting in an exposed position ready for driving as shown in Fig. 2. When it is struck into the wood enough to hold it, the gun is pulled against the partially driven nail which causes the gate 59 rto open and to permit the gun to be released from the nail (compare Figs. 3 and l1).

It will be noted that reference is made to the end 54 riding on the inclined surface 51. The shifting action is brought about by the lug 63 when it engages the inclined' surface 64 when the trigger is pulled. The surface 51 has a similar action, although its main purpose is to provide clearance for the emerging end 54.

I claim:

1. A nail gun for feeding nails for manual driving comprising a magazine with a raceway for nails, a trigger operated slide mounted along said magazine having a pair of cam surfaces thereon, a nail releasing nger hinged to said magazine and actuated by one of said cams, a nail separating iinger also hinged to said magazine and actuated by the other cam, and a nail holder on the end of said magazine comprising a spring closed slide forming a closure for said raceway, and means, for opening said closureV to permit the removal 'of said .gun from a partially driven nail.

2. A nail gun for feeding nails for manual driving, comprising a pair of spaced plates form` ing a raceway for nails, one' of said plateshav-ing a handle projecting normally therefrom, a slide mounted on said plates along the outer top side thereof, said slide having a nail holding end capale oi entering said raceway near the discharge end thereof, a spring closed slide on one of said plates having a turned end forming a closure for Said raceway, an upper nail releasing arm hinged on one of said plates having a nail -releasing finger on one end thereof capable of blocking said raceway, a cam on said slide for withdrawing said releasing. finger fromsaidraceway, a lower nail separating arm also'hingedV on one of saidl plates' and having -a nail separating linger for closing said raceway-andspacedfrom said releasing finger by the diameter of the. nails with which it is used upon withdrawalsof-said separating ringer.

r3. A nail gun for feeding nails for manual driving, ycomprising a pair oi spaced elongated side plates constituting -a raceway for nails, a bar supported by said plates-spaced over said raceway, a gate Yat the discharge end of said raceway comprising a slide parallel with the race-` way, said slide having a laterally Vturned end` eX- tending across the outlet of-said raceway, said slideA having a retractingT spring for urging said turned endasainst the endof saidracewaman upper nail releasing arm hinged to a side plate having a nail releasing finger thereon normally blocking the outlet of said raceway. a lower nail separating arm hinged to a plate having a nail separating finger on the end thereof normally 5 out of said raceway. a trigger actuated slide on one of said plates having cam surfaces thereon REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES rPATENTS Number Name Date 731,685 Jenssen June 23, 1903 874,613 McColm Dec. 24, 1907 10 1,525,413 Pearson Feb. 3, 1925 

